Chelsea v Newcastle: Costa streak to end Blues’ draw run

Chelsea have drawn four in a row at home

Guus Hiddink was brought in at Stamford Bridge to steady the ship and the unbeaten Dutchman has done just that.

However, with four successive home draws under their belts that ship is now in cruise control and in need of a more exciting course.

Fortunately for the west Londoners this weekend’s visitors arrive having lost their last four games on the road.

Newcastle splashed the cash in January, with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend arriving in big-money moves, but the new arrivals have yet to spark the Magpies into life.

And with Chelsea ace Diego Costa back to the stunning form that we saw when the Spaniard first arrived in England it looks as though Newcastle’s away run will continue, while Chelsea’s streak of stalemates finally comes to an end.

Costa has netted five goals in his last five games and while his late equaliser earned a share of the points against Manchester United last time out his goals should fire Chelsea to victory at 4/9 this time round.

Another draw can be backed at 7/2, and with the sides playing out a 2-2 result earlier this season many will be tempted, and a Newcastle win is on at 6/1.

However, it is in Costa that the value lies with the 27-year-old a decent 10/3 to open the scoring and 10/11 to net at any time.

The Blues are unlikely to be the only team bothering the scoreboard, however, with both sides netting plenty of goals in this fixture in recent years.

Each of the last seven has seen at least two goals, while four of those saw over 2.5 strikes, making the 1/5 on over 1.5 and 4/6 on over 2.5 this time round a tempting selection for those planning a big stakes bet.

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After studying for a degree in journalism and gaining his NCTJ, James contributed to a wide range of papers, online publications and broadcasters including the South London Press, Press Association and Sky Sports News before joining the Ladbrokes News team.